The Strategic Threat Risk Assessment published today by the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP) shines a light on how unprotected and exposed young people are to harm. 

The assessment shows that:

• 15–19-year-olds are the most common age group for repeat offending, often influenced by harmful online content

• abuse within teenage relationships is underreported, with many girls not identifying harmful behaviour as abuse or worried they won’t be believed

• hidden harms, fuelled by tech-enabled violence, is reshaping the threat landscape in VAWG.

Susie McDonald, CEO of Tender, said:

‘This assessment puts data behind a narrative we sadly know all too well: young people are being left without the skills and knowledge they need to protect themselves from a growing epidemic of violence and abuse.

‘Boys are being fed a constant stream of misogynistic content online, while many girls are not always able to recognise abuse when it happens to them. And we are failing them all, by not providing the education they deserve. Our evidence shows that when young people are equipped to understand consent, healthy relationships and boundaries, they are better able to identify abuse, challenge harmful attitudes, and access support when they need it.

‘The Strategic Threat Risk Assessment rightly recognises that policing and law enforcement alone cannot solve the national emergency of violence against women and girls (VAWG). Tackling VAWG requires a whole-society response, and early prevention must be at its heart. The Government must ensure that every young person has access to high-quality relationships education from primary school age, delivered consistently in every school across the UK.

‘Every day we delay, more young people are put at risk.’

Media enquiries 

Tender CEO Susie McDonald MBE is available for interview.  

For interview requests and further media enquiries, please contact katevine@tender.org.uk and isadora@tender.org.uk.   

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